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Trustees approve $5,000 from Downer Endowment to help Pine Hill Cemetery buy new mower
Summary
The trustees voted 3-0-0 at a special Aug. 8 meeting to award $5,000 from the Downer Endowment toward a $9,500 zero‑turn mower for Pine Hill Cemetery, conditional on Probate Judge approval; treasurer reported $10,690.81 available before anticipated allocations.
The Trustees of the Trust of Charles Downer voted to award $5,000 from the Downer Endowment Fund to the Pine Hill Cemetery Association to support purchase of a new mower. Chair James (Jim) Kearns opened the special meeting saying “the purpose of the special meeting was to review a request from the Pine Hill Cemetery Association,” and moved the funding award; Trustee Justin Shipman seconded and the motion carried 3‑0‑0.
Pine Hill representative Pamela (Pam) Brackett told trustees the planned unit is a zero‑turn mower that is “more suitable to mowing around the stones,” while the association intends to retain its older tractor for steep grades and other tasks. Trustees confirmed that cemetery staff mow the Town/Church green each year using the cemetery‑owned mower and receive reimbursement from the Downer fund for that labor. Treasurer Deborah (Deb) Jones presented the fund balance as of June 30, 2025, showing $10,690.81 available, though she noted roughly $1,000–$1,300 of that amount is likely to be committed at the 2025 annual meeting for recurring requests and Probate Court filing fees.
The trustees made the award subject to the Probate Judge's approval; Deb Jones will prepare the documents for the Judge and the paperwork to have Justin Shipman acknowledged as a trustee. The board also agreed a warrant could be drafted pending the Judge's decision. The meeting adjourned at 9:24 a.m.
